Favre started 253 consecutive regular-season games for the Packers, a streak that dates to September 27 1992.

The 38-year-old led the Packers to the NFC North Division title last season as he passed for 3,799 meters and 28 touchdowns.

During the season he became the league's all-time leader in passing (56 377 meters), touchdown passes (442) and career wins (160).

But the magical campaign ended in disappointing fashion in the NFC title game, when the Packers suffered a 23-20 overtime loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement: "He has had one of the greatest careers in the history of the National Football League, and he is able to walk away from the game on his own terms -- not many players are able to do that.

"The uniqueness of Brett Favre -- his personality, charisma and love of the game -- will undoubtedly leave him as one of the enduring figures in NFL history."

The only three-time MVP in NFL history, Favre is the league's all-time leader with 5,377 career completions.

A nine-time Pro Bowler, Favre has started 253 consecutive regular-season games for the Packers, a streak that dates to September 27, 1992.

Favre led the Packers to a 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots in the 1997 Super Bowl, the franchise's first title in 29 years.

The MVP in 1995 and 1996 and co-winner of the award in 1997, Favre has five seasons with at least 4,000 passing yards and eight campaigns with at least 30 TDs. E-mail to a friend